Avandamet and Cholesterol

During clinical studies on Avandamet and cholesterol, the diabetes medicine was shown to increase HDL cholesterol and significantly decrease LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Since people with diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease, it is especially important for them to maintain good cholesterol levels.

Avandamet and Cholesterol: An Overview

Avandamet® (rosiglitazone and metformin) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug is a combination of two different diabetes medications: rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®). Although Avandamet has many beneficial effects on blood sugar, it may also have useful effects on cholesterol as well.
 
In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would be severely restricting the use of rosiglitazone, one of the active ingredients in Avandamet, due to the risk of "cardiovascular events" such as heart attacks and strokes. Only individuals who cannot control their diabetes on other medications (or those who are already taking the medication and doing well) will be able to take Avandamet.
 

Cholesterol Lowering With Avandamet: What Does the Research Show?

In studies, Avandamet lowered
 LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) by 0.2 percent and lowered total cholesterol by 2.2 percent on average. Avandamet lowered triglycerides by 18.7 percent. Also, Avandamet increased HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) by 5.8 percent on average.
 
(Click Cholesterol Guidelines for more information about cholesterol levels.)
 
Avandamet and Cholesterol Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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